Tanzania Safari: Serengeti & Ngorongoro Big Five Tour

Six days across four parks, camping under the stars and chasing the Big Five

A 6-day guided safari from Arusha through Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Parks, with private transport and an English-speaking guide. You camp at park lodges, watch game drives at sunrise and sunset, visit a Maasai boma to learn traditional culture, and swim at Chemka Hot Springs in the Kilimanjaro foothills. The itinerary includes the Great Migration, tree-climbing lions, and close encounters with elephants, zebras, buffalo and giraffes across four distinct ecosystems.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Safari in Tarangire National Park

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive 2 hours to Tarangire National Park
• Game drive from open roof vehicle
• Drive to Fig Tree Lodge
• Relax and enjoy dinner

Day 2: Game Drive in Serengeti National Park

• Breakfast
• Drive to Serengeti National Park
• Game drive with picnic lunch
• Dinner and overnight at Seronera Campsite

Day 3: Full Day Serengeti Exploration

• Sunrise game drive
• Lunch at camp
• Afternoon game drive
• Dinner and overnight at Simba Camp

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater and Maasai Visit

• Hot breakfast
• Tour local Maasai boma
• Lunch at guide's choice location
• Drive back to Arusha
• Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 5: Lake Manyara National Park Safari

• Breakfast
• Drive to Lake Manyara National Park
• Game drive and birdwatching
• Lunch in park
• Return to Arusha
• Dinner and overnight at Tourist Inn/Karibu Heritage

Day 6: Mount Kilimanjaro Foothills Visit

• Breakfast
• Visit Chemka Hot Springs
• Walk to waterfalls with guide
• Swim at waterfall pool
• Return to Materuni village
• Traditional Chagga lunch

The experience

The safari starts with a 2-hour drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, where the Tarangire River draws massive elephant herds during the dry season. You'll spend the first day on game drives from an open-roof vehicle, spotting zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and giraffe alongside those elephants, then overnight at Fig Tree Lodge. The park's seasonal swamps and savanna shift the wildlife patterns throughout the year, so what you encounter depends on when you travel.

Days two and three take you to Serengeti National Park for full days of game drives: sunrise to sunset with lunch back at camp. This is where the Great Migration unfolds: over a million wildebeest move through in columns 40 kilometers long, crossing crocodile-infested rivers in their annual cycle. Beyond the herds, Serengeti holds 500-plus bird species, rock hyraxes scuttling across granite kopjes, and predator-prey interactions that play out across the grasslands. You'll camp at Seronera on day two and Simba Camp on day three.

Day four shifts to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you visit a Maasai boma, a traditional pastoral settlement, to learn about cattle herding, fire-making with animal dung and acacia wood, and local crafts. Lunch is at a spot your guide chooses, and you'll have time to photograph and buy handmade goods before returning to Arusha for the night. On day five, Lake Manyara National Park sits just 30 minutes from your hotel. The park is known for tree-climbing lions lounging in acacia branches, massive flamingo flocks along the lake edge, and lilac-breasted rollers that birdwatchers travel far to see. Lunch happens at 1 p.m., and you return to Arusha by afternoon. The final morning takes you to Materuni village in the Kilimanjaro foothills, where a 40-minute walk leads to a waterfall with a swimming pool at its base: conditions permitting, you'll see Kilimanjaro's summit from here. Your guide explains the local Chagga culture and flora along the way, and a traditional lunch follows before your return to Arusha around 4:30–5:00 p.m.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the 6 days.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• all national park entry fees and taxes.
• camping accommodation at lodge campsites.
• hotel pickup in Arusha on day one and return by late afternoon on day six.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (22 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (12 to 21 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 7 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 25 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by VISION SAFARI & TOURS

Is this one for you?This is a shared-group camping tour with a professional guide leading all activities, so you're not navigating or driving yourself. The guide handles the route, timing and wildlife spotting. Choose this if you want the full safari experience (sunrise and sunset game drives, multiple parks, cultural visits) at a budget price, and you're comfortable sleeping in camp tents and sharing transport with other travelers. If you prefer a private vehicle and guide for your group alone, or hotel rooms instead of camping, ask the operator about those options.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 21 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What animals will I actually see on a 6-day Tanzania safari?

The Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) appear across the parks, though sightings are never guaranteed. Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds; Lake Manyara for tree-climbing lions; Serengeti for predator-prey interactions and the Great Migration's wildebeest columns. You'll also see zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and over 500 bird species including flamingos and secretary birds.

Do I need to bring my own camping gear, or is it provided?

The itinerary lists camping at lodge campsites (Fig Tree, Seronera, Simba, and others), which typically provide tents and bedding. Confirm with the operator what is set up for you and what you need to bring. Soft-sided bags or backpacks are recommended over hard-shell suitcases because safari vehicles have limited luggage space.

When does the Great Migration happen, and will I see it on this tour?

The Great Migration's timing varies by season: the main crossing of the Grumeti and Mara rivers happens June through August. The itinerary visits Serengeti during this window when conditions align, but exact timing depends on your departure date. Check with the operator which months offer the best chance to witness the migration's river crossings.

What is included in the 6-day price, and what costs extra?

The package includes private transportation, a professional English-speaking guide, and all park fees and taxes. Not included are tips, international flights, and personal items. Airport transfers from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha are optional and cost USD 40. From Arusha Airport to town, USD 15. These can be arranged in advance.

How much time do I spend driving versus on game drives each day?

Most days center on game drives within the parks: sunrise and sunset are prime viewing times. The first day includes a 2-hour drive to Tarangire. Day five has a 30-minute drive to Lake Manyara. Days two and three are full-day Serengeti game drives with lunch at camp. Day four includes a 40-minute walk to Materuni waterfall. The final return to Arusha takes approximately 4.5 to 5 hours depending on park location and road conditions.

Can I swim or cool off during the safari?

Yes. On day six, you swim at the waterfall pool in Materuni village. Chemka Hot Springs (also called Kikuletwa Hot Springs) in the Kilimanjaro foothills offers warm, mineral-rich water surrounded by vegetation. Bring swimwear for this optional stop. The itinerary also includes a refreshing dip at Chemka as part of the final day's activities.